ISRI compiles report on theft of scrap metal from shipping containers

BRUSSELS (Scrap Monster): The Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries Inc. (ISRI) has compiled a new report that looks into rising scrap metal theft incidents at shipping containers in Hong Kong and South China. The recycling organization has forwarded the report to federal agencies for necessary action.

According to the report, the number of metal theft incidents exceeded 550 during the period from 2011 to 2013, leading to monetary loss of more than $2 million. Most of the incidents involved theft of copper from containers at specific ports and trans-shipment sites in the region.

The report identifies inland ports within the Pearl River Delta in Guangdong province as the focal point of most container theft incidents. Sihui/Mafang port accounted for maximum number of reported incidents, totaling 131 incidents. The Zhaoqing and Sanshui ports reported 35 and 17 number of such incidents respectively. The theft incidents reported by other major ports in the region are:- Wuzhou (9) and Nanhai (6). These five ports accounted for almost 60% of the total suspected cargo theft incidents during the period. Furthermore, the theft incidents in the region more than doubled in 2013 when compared with 2011.

Earlier in July last year, several people belonging to a scrap metal theft gang were arrested in Guangzhou, China. Television reports had indicated that stacked 40-foot containers laden with scrap metals were taken to Foshan in Guangzhou province. The thieves had stolen copper and brass and had replaced them with dirt in order to maintain the weight of the container.

Media reports indicate that South China and Hong Kong are said to have crime gangs who engage in container theft activities.